For a brief moment around 2023 the 4 day work week almost seemed like a real possibility but then something happened and the issue just died out.
I am creating this post as a way to collect information and research on the topic. Do you know of any research done on the subject? Do you have personal experience? Share them in the comments all engagement is welcome! Let’s bring that issue back to life!
They forced us to go back to the office, even though we were more productive at home, and there was a brutal pandemic still raging. They let the CEO of Delta set Covid isolation guidelines to more easily manage staffing. Biden shut down the rail strike. Etc.
It finally hit home to people that, like our forefathers in the labor movement, we ain’t getting less work days without some bloodshed. And some of y’all ain’t there yet.
people even voted in fascists because they thought daddy would come home and fix all this
Well both the main parties are fascists. There wasn’t anything else allowed through. Dems sued the socialist candidate off the ballot in my state.
i mean wordwide. the entire planet is shifting fascist
No, people in general are shifting left. Which is causing the governments to shift more openly to the right.
Why do you say that? I have the complete opposite impression. Working class people are wither going liberal or authoritarian/populist depending on the amount of studies they have and general vibe around them. People outside of that are really rare. Which honestly feels depressing.
Leftist policies are extremely popular among the electorate. But all western nations are now corporate captured and completely corrupted. So the only options for voters tends to be center-right neoliberals, who only promise mild reforms and never even keep those promises, or full-throated fascists on the far right.
So the bland neoliberals have diminishing support that translates into losses, with most people not engaging in a process that offers them no representation, and you come away with the impression that support for fascism is gaining in popularity. In fact, it’s that the systems are rigged and only pro-corporate fascists are permitted to win.
Look at voter turnout numbers. Millions of people are simply choosing to not support either major party- not shifting right. And look at what happened to progressive ballot measures last election. Broad and sweeping support nationwide, even in districts where far right candidates win.
And if you look at what western governments are censoring online, it’s mostly support for leftist policies and anti-war speech. This further creates the impression of a growing right, due to systemic silencing of the left: https://www.mintpressnews.com/tiktok-chinese-trojan-horse-run-by-state-department-officials/284353/
What studies are you referring to? Here’s the ones I’ve seen:
https://thehill.com/business/4869155-poll-approval-labor-unions/amp/
https://news.gallup.com/poll/468401/majority-say-gov-ensure-healthcare.aspx
https://news.gallup.com/poll/642695/majority-disapprove-israeli-action-gaza.aspx
https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2024/4/26/voters-think-its-time-to-raise-the-minimum-wage
I think it’s a bit more complex than that. In my country there are multiple Marxist parties and since we are a parliamentary system they have actual power. Still the general discourse tends to feel a bit more to the sides I mentioned. At the same time far right has been growing. But I agree people tend to be onboard with leftist policies. Maybe what the world needs is a pinch more leftist populism. Bring voters back from the claws of the far right.
Again, regardless of how it may feel, their numbers are not growing. The far right is growing in power- not size.
Anyone who’s read enough theory or history saw this coming for years. This was expected. Capitalists were always going to turn to fascism in the face of rising leftist populism. Fortunately, the same theorists predicted the capitalists/fascists will ultimately fall, and socialism/communism will follow.
We don’t need a “pinch” of leftist populism. That’s like saying we need just a little equality, or smidge more justice. We need an overwhelming flood of leftist populism, and a world where everyone can live with dignity. Plus, it’s the only thing that can save us from climate collapse.
I have the same observations, people are confused and miserable. The easiest explanation is to just blame whatever minority is in fashion in your part of the world.
this is exactly my read. democracy is collapsing because the masses are voting in the fascists
The electoral systems are corrupted so that fascists are the only candidates allowed on the ballots. When the only options are Fascist A or Fascist B, surprise surprise, a fascist wins.
In the rare instances where an actual leftist makes it onto the ballot (not a neoliberal pretender), they tend to see huge turnout and broad support. Which is exactly why western governments are rigging the process to prevent them from gaining ballot access whenever possible.